THE LEGEND OF THE THREE TREES

The much-loved Christian folktale about three trees that play seemingly random but ultimately important roles in the life of Jesus gets a slightly Disneyesque treatment in this animated interpretation. Soaring ballads by Marilyn McCoo and Christian performing artist Andy Chrisman and scenes of cuddly animals scurrying about are sure to captivate the younger set. But at the story's heart is the idea that God has a plan for every living thing (a plan that only He understands). An olive tree doesn't become the grand treasure chest she dreams of being, but rather a plain feed trough for animals (where the newborn Jesus slept). The gnarled oak tree that dreams of being a great sailing ship is selected as the material for a small fishing boat (where Jesus performs a miracle). And a majestic pine tree growing high on the mountainside that hopes it will always point the way to God is felled by lightning and eventually made into a rough wooden cross (where Jesus is crucified). Touching on the major stories of the Bible (Genesis, Christmas, Easter), this title is likely to have many uses in Christian-study settings as well as in the home. Ages 3-7. (Mar.)FYI:In February, Tommy Nelson released picture-book and board-book editions of the tale featuring the art in this video.